10 Free Things to do in East Midlands That You Shouldn't Miss

A one of a kind architectural masterpiece that draws visitors from near and far. Children love the novelty of this sight. A genuine landmark and Ilkeston institution.

Designed in 1754, these graceful serpentine gardens feature a gothic greenhouse, stables, and a picturesque summerhouse beside a scenic lake.

Leicester Museum & Art Gallery is a world of discovery with collections and displays spanning the natural and cultural world. General entry is free to all visitors. On the historic New Walk, the museum is a family friendly day out with galleries including Ancient Egypt, Dinosaurs, Wild Space, the Victorian art gallery, Arts & Crafts gallery, Picasso Ceramics: The Attenborough Collection and Leicester's internationally renowned collection of German Expressionism. The museum welcomes a vast array of temporary exhibitions, featuring works from the collections, touring exhibitions from national museums and a programme of contemporary art and craft displays. The museum hosts a range of events from curators' talks to lunchtime concerts, a cafe and museum shop.

Wollaton Hall is one of the country's finest Grade One listed Elizabethan mansions, set within 500 acres of beautiful parkland. Experience stunning architecture, exhibitions, a packed events program and an array of wildlife. Go behind the scenes on a variety of guided tours available throughout the year and on demand for groups. Other special events include costumed tours, puppet shows, craft fairs, Segway tours and our popular spooky Ghost Nights (not for the faint hearted!). Visit the Cafe in the Courtyard for light refreshments including freshly ground coffee, specialty teas and home made cakes.

Derby Museums is an independent trust and organisation run for, and on behalf of, the people of Derby. We provide a museums and arts service, accessible to everyone, and are responsible for the curation of all the artefacts and works of art entrusted to us, and the buildings in which these are held. Our aim as a new organisation is to bring as many of these objects into the public domain as is practically possible and exhibit them in ways that delight and inspire. We also run education and learning programmes, and hold events and exhibitions with the purpose of sharing knowledge and inspiring creativity and making amongst the people of Derby. As well as schools and student learning, we run many events for adults and groups, as well as families. Our collections and the information we hold about them are as unique as our location and history; we are a city continually shaped and driven by creativity and innovation, located in a valley that changed the world. The services we provide are also designed to promote the city: using its rich and important past to inspire its future.